The Go-Betweens were a critically-acclaimed cult act famously summarised by Village Voice critic Robert Christgau thus: “Robert Forster and Grant McLennan are the greatest songwriting partnership working today.”
Early drummers Lissa Ross and Tim Mustapha were followed by Lindy Morrison, who was a constant member through the six albums the band recorded in their first and most prolific era. Robert Vickers made the band a four piece when he joined on bass for the third album - "Spring Hill Fair". He left following the fifth album, to be replaced by long-time Brisbane muso John Wilsteed. Amanda Brown (violin, oboe and vocals) was the other key member, heavily influencing the Go-Betweens sound on the final two albums in this period.
The Go-Betweens toured overseas numerous times and produced such indie hits as "Cattle and Cane" (1983) and "Streets of Your Town" (1988). After recording six acclaimed albums, Forster and McLennan disbanded The Go-Betweens in December 1989.
Forster and McLennan pursued solo careers throughout the '90s but were inspired to work together after they were invited by fans at French music magazine Les Inrockuptibles to perform at the magazine's 10th anniversary.
In 2000, Forster and McLennan reformed The Go-Betweens, assisted by all three members of Sleater-Kinney, and recorded the album The Friends of Rachel Worth.
The most recent line-up (2005) included Forster, McLennan, Adele Pickvance (bass) and Glenn Thompson (drums).
In October 2005 The Go-Betweens finally achieved mainstream recognition, with the album Oceans Apart (produced by Mark Wallis and Dave Ruffy) winning an ARIA award for Best Adult Contemporary Album.
Grant McLennan died in his sleep at his home in Highgate Hill, Brisbane on May 6, 2006. He was preparing for a party at his home when he mentioned he was feeling ill, and went to lie down. He was found later that night, and is believed to have suffered a heart attack. With McLennan's death, Robert Forster announced that the Go-Betweens are no more.
"The Go-Betweens have made their final album. They have played their final show. We let it rest at that, being very proud of what we have done." - Robert Forster (May 7th 2006). In June 2007, a tribute album, Write Your Adventures Down, was released in Australia.
Discography:
Non-Album Singles
* "Lee Remick/Karen" (Able Label, 1978)
* "People Say/Don't Let Him Come Back" (Able Label, 1979)
* "I Need Two Heads/Stop before You say It" (Missing Link/Postcard, 1980)
Albums
* Send Me A Lullaby (1982)
* Before Hollywood (1983)
* Spring Hill Fair (1984)
* Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express (1986)
* Tallulah (1987)
* 16 Lovers Lane (1988)
* 16 Lovers Lane Acoustic Démos (1996)
* Live on SNAP (1999)
* The Friends of Rachel Worth (2000)
* Bright Yellow Bright Orange (2003)
* Oceans Apart (2005)
* Live At The Tivoli, Brisbane (2006)
Compilations
* 1978-1990 (1990)
* Bellavista Terrace: Best of the Go-Betweens (1999)
* 78 'til 79 the Lost Album (1999)
Previous Members:
* Malcolm Kelly ("People Say")
* Jaqueline / Candice ("People Say")
2) The Go-Betweens [60s] A american garage band, made one single 1965.
Knock Knock / Have Her for My Own
Spirit
The Go-Betweens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the best show in town
If you want to come on down and listen
I'm ready
And I might come along
With something that you've been missing
I've got no money
I've got nothing at all
And I'm bound
To hit the wall
And I'll be running
I'm no trouble
I'm nothing like the trouble
That I used to be when I was somebody's double
Do you have any whiskey?
I don't like to drink
But I like to know that's it's along there with me
There's nothing I've seen
That's ever really
Flattened me
And there's something
In the corner of your eye
That gets me
Yes there's something
But I know
You'll keep me guessing
So what do you say
Tell me what you're thinking of
Tell me what you're thinking of this minute
You're a spirit
You're one thing greater
Than all the things that you are together
You're one thing greater
Than all the things
You are together
The Go-Betweens' song "Spirit" is a beautiful and introspective ballad that showcases the band's talent for creating intricate melodies and lyrics that speak to the soul. The song opens with an invitation to a show that serves as a metaphor for the singer's own journey. He shares that he has nothing material to offer but he has something meaningful to share, something that the listener might be missing. This signals the singer's willingness to engage in a deeper conversation with the person he's addressing, and his readiness to reveal something about himself that he thinks may be of value.
Throughout the song, the singer reflects on his life and his own sense of self. He speaks honestly about his past troubles and recklessness, but he maintains that he's no longer that person. Instead, he's a "spirit," something greater than the sum of his parts. This suggests both a newfound sense of wholeness and also an awareness of the intangible qualities that make a person unique. He asks the person he's addressing to share their thoughts and feelings with him, knowing that they too have a spirit that's greater than their individual parts.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got tickets
I have access to the best event in town that you don’t want to miss
To the best show in town
There is a spectacular show happening that you need to witness
If you want to come on down and listen
You are invited to join me in experiencing an amazing music event
I'm ready
I am well prepared and excited for this show
And I might come along
I am considering coming with you
With something that you've been missing
I have insights or experiences that could enrich your life
I've got no money
I am broke and unable to pay for anything
I've got nothing at all
I have absolutely nothing in material possessions
But I'll keep you guessing
Describing my future actions may be unpredictable or ambiguous
And I'm bound
I feel trapped or obligated to continue on a course of action
To hit the wall
I will soon face a major obstacle or difficulty
And I'll be running
I will try to escape or evade the problem
I'm no trouble
I'm not confrontational or difficult to deal with
I'm nothing like the trouble
I don't resemble the problematic person that I once used to be
That I used to be when I was somebody's double
Comparing myself to a past, flawed version of myself who was mimicking someone else's actions
Do you have any whiskey?
Are you in possession of any alcoholic spirits?
I don't like to drink
I'm not really interested in consuming alcohol
But I like to know that it's along there with me
However, I feel comforted knowing that liquor is nearby
There's nothing I've seen
I have not yet witnessed anything that has truly affected me
That's ever really flattened me
No experience has completely knocked me down yet
And there's something
I notice a stirring feeling
In the corner of your eye
Where your attention isn't completely focused, I sense something new
That gets me
That emotion is relatable or strikes a chord in me
Yes there's something
Clearly, there is a compelling essence to this encounter
But I know you'll keep me guessing
However, I am aware that you may leave me wondering what will happen next
So what do you say
What do you think, what are your thoughts or opinions?
Tell me what you're thinking of
Please share with me what is in your mind
Tell me what you're thinking of this minute
Tell me what specifically is occupying your thoughts right now
You're a spirit
You embody an otherworldly essence
You're one thing greater
You represent something that is more significant than the sum of your parts
Than all the things that you are together
Your various attributes or abilities do not fully portray your complex identity
You're one thing greater
You represent something much more profound than what can be perceived at first glance
Than all the things you are together
Your unique qualities create a more significant, unified whole
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GRANT MCLENNAN, ROBERT DERWENT GARTH FORSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Starmer's Barber
A masterpiece.
Henrry Lee
Su simplicidad la hace hermosa!
Dina Taylor
Thank you Dean for another GREAT SONG!...Dina
Deadlydanish
You're one thing greater than all the things that you are together.
Ciaron O
61jpm
I thought it was 'never really flapped me' instead of 'flattened'. Like, he's unflappable? They both make sense but I still feel like I'm hearing an extra syllable in there.
61jpm
+Deadlydanish There's nothing I've seen that's ever really
Flattened me and there's something
In the corner of your eye that gets me
Yes there's something but I know
You'll keep me guessing.....
ianblecher
So good to hear this again. Thanks.
heather keeping
Great song sung
John Arvanitis
I like Rachel Worth better